To the editor:
In the Democratic primary on September, we have a contest for the District 9 N.H. Senate seat. I am supporting Lee Nyquist of New Boston as the person I would like to replace incumbent Sen. Andy Sanborn, and here are some of my reasons.
I support Lee because he is strongly dedicated to the pursuit of economic and social justice and the advancement of the common good. I have read his campaign literature thoroughly, attended events where he spoke, and best of all, gotten to know him personally over the past five years through our mutual interest in good government. I believe that a candidate’s character and integrity matter more to the voters than their positions on the host of issues that need attention because even the most earnest voters are hard pressed to find time to inform themselves on every issue of importance. This is why character and integrity matter so much: we must be able to trust confidently the man or woman we elect to make our laws. In my book, Lee passes that test with flying colors.
Lee and his wife Leslie moved to New Boston 25 years ago. In a year, Lee was elected town moderator – and he still holds that position after 24 years of service to his town. This is remarkable on two counts: first, that in a year he had earned such respect in New Boston that he was chosen for one of the most visible and challenging jobs in a small town and second, that New Boston’s (predominantly Republican) voters have given him the honor of re-electing him 11 times.
Lee has also distinguished himself as a man of integrity and leadership in the legal community, having served as the president of the Manchester Bar Association and the New Hampshire Association for Justice. Additionally, for the past 11 years, Lee has brought representatives of business and labor together in his continuing role as the chair of the New Hampshire Unemployment Compensation Advisory Council.
And finally, in 1987, as a young attorney, Lee Nyquist showed his courage and decency by standing with our LGBT families, submitting arguments to the N.H. Supreme Court that a proposed ban on adoption, foster care, and day care by LGBT individuals was unconstitutional. Lee lost the case but he was on the right side of history. That is the kind of senator I want in Concord.
Jim Curran
Hancock